SLMA urges Govt. not to lift lockdown on 21

20 June 2021 01:05 am - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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While urging the President to continue with the current lockdown measures uninterrupted, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) said lifting the lockdown even for a few days would escalate the COVID-19 situation increasing numbers of cases and causing unacceptable mortality.

The Government has announced that the prevailing travel restrictions would be lifted from June 21 to 23 and re-imposed from 23 to 25.

In a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the SLAM said lifting the curfew would take the country back to the major epidemic situation which prevailed in April this year.

“The country is still experiencing more than 2000 new cases and around 50 deaths every day. To complicate this situation further, there is also evidence of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus being prevalent in the community. This variant is fifty per cent more transmissible than the currently dominant variant,” the SLMA pointed out.

“Accordingly, a release of the current lockdown even for a few days will lead to the uncontrolled free movement of people and would thereby lead to an alarming increase in transmission, with rapid spread of the new variant. The epidemic will thereby escalate to an unprecedented level, causing increasing numbers of cases and unacceptable mortality, on a scale that could completely overwhelm the health system,” it stressed.

Meanwhile, the SLMA said when it is deemed appropriate to ease the lockdown, it would have to be done in a carefully phased manner on a district-basis, grounded on reliable real-time data at district level, rather than in the country as a whole.

“Accordingly, the SLMA & SLMA Inter-Collegiate Committee (SMIC) are in the process of developing an "exit strategy" that will be handed over to the Government during the course of this week where district level Committees of Community Physicians are established to analyse good quality real-time data and decide on the level of mobility restriction within the district on the basis of several relevant criteria that we have identified,” it added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

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Comments - 24

Gamaya Sunday, 20 June 2021 06:13 AM

Why don’t you guys stop the private practice too that will make you feel the economic pandemic than to put out statements.

lawry Sunday, 20 June 2021 06:38 AM

SLMA had all the time to plan an exit strategy and guide the government all these days. They only transmit panic at the last moment without positive action. No one wants an extended lockdown hence opening up on 21st is a must.

ANTON Sunday, 20 June 2021 06:42 AM

ONLY MEDICINE THEY HAVE DISCOVERED FOR COVD- 19 IS "LOCK DOWN"

Chris Sunday, 20 June 2021 06:59 AM

Yeah yeah keep the whole country in prison with your professional unreliable data and fear psychosis. End of the day you get your salary from the government thanks to our hard work and taxes. Whilst we starve.

Lokiloka Sunday, 20 June 2021 07:06 AM

Please learn counting to 100 after that you can send advices again. Please Mr. President don't listen to them.

corkster Sunday, 20 June 2021 07:13 AM

Lockdown would be much easier to take if there was beer and wine delivery. It seems SLMA just wants to punish the people.

Man Sunday, 20 June 2021 07:17 AM

Will SLMA pay that Rs. 5,000/=? That's where the problem lies and critical for the government and nothing else. Simply, it's like dengue for them.

lokiloka21 Sunday, 20 June 2021 07:42 AM

After a month of salary cuts they might also see, that their lockdown strategy only ruins the economic. Please do not listen to them Mr. President. They can not count to 100 even

Tupac Sunday, 20 June 2021 07:57 AM

Keep it for another month at least other wise we would see more deaths !!

ANTON Sunday, 20 June 2021 08:06 AM

BALLAGE VADEY BOORUVAA KARANDA YANNE.

Ranaweera Sunday, 20 June 2021 08:07 AM

I think we should open this country. There are too many people on the roads. People are not educated by our media about how to wear a mask. Instead the media is all reporting negative stuff.

Samson Sunday, 20 June 2021 08:32 AM

Public pays the SLMA members and all doctors whether in service or private and they have no problem of movement anywhere in SL. Public has to earn a living and extended lockdowns will not help. Will the doctors pay something to the public from public funds they receive?

P Sunday, 20 June 2021 08:35 AM

Filthy mouth has opened again. Disaster for the country and people who suffer

Be Fair Sunday, 20 June 2021 08:48 AM

SLMA talk to the GMOA President. Seems there is a conspiracy and no COVID at all in Sri Lanka

Sambo Sunday, 20 June 2021 08:59 AM

Are you trying to kill the people by keeping them in lock down for so long. Do you have any brains any where in your body to understand the suffering of the public.

Sambo Sunday, 20 June 2021 10:03 AM

If you could prove what results have bought for the past lock down, then we agree. But nothing has changed. People are not dying on of Covid but also of starvation thanks to your great decisions.

Fatima Lai Sunday, 20 June 2021 10:15 AM

Now prez should investigate why SLMA pushes so hard on lockdown.

Samson Sunday, 20 June 2021 10:15 AM

Public starve while you have no travel restrictions and paid by the public. Plenty of us have no means to buy food.

Joshua Sunday, 20 June 2021 10:47 AM

Remember in SL the number of infections can be controlled by computer gilmart also. So Govt will look after that even if the total numbers increase. So keep your trap shut and continue to get you and your family vaccinated thru unscrupulous methods

Silva Sunday, 20 June 2021 11:43 AM

WISE !

roni Sunday, 20 June 2021 01:21 PM

This same GMOA during the last regime, for the slightest issue went on strike now they are trying this stunt. This should be investigated.

N SENA Sunday, 20 June 2021 02:04 PM

GOVT IS DEAF AS MUCH AS GMOA.

VJ Sunday, 20 June 2021 03:17 PM

Yet another conspiracy theory?

Amal Sunday, 20 June 2021 03:35 PM

Every nation gets the government it deserves.

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SLMA urges Govt. not to lift lockdown on 21

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